This document outlines guidelines for safeguarding children from abuse and neglect. It defines child abuse and the different categories of abuse. It emphasizes the importance of protecting children's welfare by preventing maltreatment. It provides guidance on identifying signs of abuse, how to share concerns appropriately, and the key legislation around child protection. The overall message is that safeguarding children is a collaborative effort that requires vigilance, care, and following proper procedures to ensure children's well-being and development.

1. Safeguarding
Children

2. Ground Rules
Talking about child abuse can be
upsetting – take space and time if you
need it.

3. Aim
To develop awareness of, and the
ability to act on, concerns about the
safety and welfare of children and
young people

4. Two parts to safeguarding
Protect children from maltreatment
Prevent impairment

5. “Child abuse and neglect”
Abuse an neglect are forms of
maltreatment of a child.
Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by
inflicting harm, or failing to act to prevent
harm.
Children may be abused in a family or in an
institutional or community setting, by those
know to them or, more rarely, by a
stranger.
They may be abused by an adult or adults,
or another child or children.

6. Categories of abuse
Neglect
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse

7. What do children need?
Good family environment
Love
Attention

8. How worries about children come to
light
A child tells someone what is happening to them.
You see signs of abuse or neglect.
You see worries changes in a child’s behaviour or
moods.
You see worries changes in a parent’s behaviour
to a child.
Someone else tells you about something they
have seen or heard.
An adult or child tells you that they have hurt a
child.
A parent or carer tells you that they are having
problems in meeting their child’s needs.

9. Key guidance and legislation
United Nation Convention on the Rights of the
child
Human Rights Act 1998
Children Act 1989
Framework Children in Need and their Families for
the Assessment of (2000)
What To Do if You’re Worried a Child is Being
Abused (2003)
Education Act 2002
Children Act 2004 (section 11)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006)

10. Child in Need
Children Act 1989 s17(10)
A child shall be taken to be in need if:
Is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the
opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a
reasonable standard of health or development
without the provision for them of services by a
local authority under this part.
Health or development is likely to be significantly
impaired, or further impaired, without the provision
of such services.
Is case of disability.

11. Definition of Harm
Harm is defined in the Children Act 1989 section
31(9) as:
ill- treatment (including sexual abuse and physical
abuse)
Impairment of health (physical or mental)
Impairment of development (physical, intellectual,
emotional, social or behavioural)

12. Significant Harm - 1
The children Act 1989 uses the
concept of significant harm to justify
compulsory intervention in family life.
The local authority has a duty to
make enquiries where it has
reasonable cause to suspect a child
is suffering significant harm.

13. Significant Harm - 2
There are no absolute criteria for
indentifying significant harm. The
severity of ill-treatment depends on:
The degree and extent of physical
harm.
The duration and frequency of abuse
and neglect.

14. Significant Harm - 3
The extent of premeditation.
The degree of treat and coercion,
sadism and/or unusual elements.
In each case consider ill-treatment
alongside the family strengths and
supports.

15. Silencing Factors
Fear you may be wrong.
Doubts about the child’s truthfulness.
Anger and distress.
Child’s attempts to bind you to secrecy.
Uncertainty of procedures and
consequences.
Unresolved feelings.
There may be other reasons for the child’s
behaviour.
Not wanting to interfere in family life.

16. Who are children likely to turn to?
‘The majority of children and young people
indentify at least one person they can talk
to …. A Significant minority of children do
not feel they have anyone they can trust to
share their worries with.’
Friends
Mothers
Fathers
Other trusted adult

17. What is important to children when
seeking an adult to trust:
Being there: children and young people having
the general feeling that an adult is there for them.
Proving themselves: taking the time to listen,
acting appropriately and keeping promises.
Having the right attitude: not losing their temper
or trying to take over.
Knowing what they’re talking about: sharing
relevant experience, and not acting as if they know
more than they do.

18. Sharing your concerns
‘Identification of need’
Try to sort out in you mind why you are worried,
based on:
What you have seen.
What you have heard from others.
What has been said to you directly.
Try to be as clear as you can about why you are
worried but do not be afraid to listen to your
instinct that something just does not seem to be
right.

19. What should you do?
Be alert to signs of abuse and neglect. It can happen
anywhere.
Be prepared to respond calmly. Children are more likely to
allow you to help them if you are prepared to listen and
appear not to panic.
Keep a clear record of your concerns and what action you
took.
Make yourself aware of local procedures for responding to
suspected abuse.
Consult your Agency Child Protection advisor and/or Social
Care if you are in any doubt.
Where circumstances allow be honest as possible with
parents.

20. What should you not do?
Promise the child that you will not tell
anyone else. Instead explain that to help
them stop the abuse you will need to talk to
other people.
Try to “go it alone”. Children are best
protected when all agencies do work
together.
IGNORE

21. In summary
“Safeguarding & Promoting the
welfare of children” is not just about
reacting when facing serious or
significant injuries.
It is the proactive engagement with
children, parents, cares, as well as
colleagues to make sure children are
safe and are achieving their potential.

22. Finally
It is the responsibility of professionals to
report concerns, NOT to decide whether it
is or is not child abuse.
Child protection is a multi-disciplinary
activity. No individual should ever feel the
sole responsibility of identifying abuse
rests.
The worst thing you can do is do nothing

23. Psychology Student
Luciano Souza
lucianosouza77@hotmail.co.uk
July 2013